Def Jam Vendetta Announced

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Aki returns tot he ring...almost.

By IGN Staff

The creators of the much-loved Nintendo 64 WCW and WWF wrestling games are back, but not in the way you might have expected. AKI Corporation is joining EA Canada's NBA Street team and Def Jam Records to produce Def Jam Vendetta for GameCube and PlayStation 2 next year. A hybrid of wrestling, versus fighting, and Def Jam's urban attitude, Vendetta presents an underground fighting tournament with more than 45 combatants, including 12 Def Jam artists.

Vendetta's array of characters (among them DMX, Ludacris, Method Man, Redman, N.O.R.E., and Scarface -- yes, the hip-hop stars) possesses more than 1,500 fighting moves among them, and they meet in a total of 10 arenas. Alongside free-for-all fights, the single-player game will be structured around an involving original storyline. The soundtrack will of course be provided by the artists on display, and is set to include original music as well as previously-released tracks.

"The partnership between the brands of Def Jam and EA will bring a new level of excitement to the video game industry. The lifestyle appeal of our artists, combined with intense gameplay in Def Jam Vendetta will redefine the way you think about video games," said Def Jam president Kevin Liles.

If all this sounds a little confusing, we don't blame you, but rest assured that more information will be forthcoming soon. Check out the attached screenshots and look forward to hands-on impressions in short order.